At least 20 tourists were killed and over 30 injured when gunmen opened fire at a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Indian police described the incident as a “terror attack” carried out by militants fighting against Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir region.
The attack occurred at Baisaran meadow, about 5 kilometers from the resort town of Pahalgam, a scenic destination known for its pine forests and snow-capped mountains that attracts hundreds of tourists annually. Most of the victims were Indian vacationers, according to police sources.
Eyewitnesses reported that two to four militants appeared suddenly and indiscriminately fired on the crowd of tourists. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Anantnag and Srinagar, with many in critical condition.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack, calling it “significantly more severe than any we have witnessed targeting civilians in recent years.” He described the assailants as “animals, inhuman, and deserving of disdain.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack on social media, stating, “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will get even stronger.”
The region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for decades, with both countries claiming the entire territory. While militant violence had decreased in recent years, attacks like this highlight the ongoing instability in the region.
Security forces launched a manhunt to apprehend the attackers. India’s Home Minister Amit Shah promised “the harshest consequences” for the perpetrators.
The attack coincided with a visit by U.S. Vice President JD Vance to India, who called it a “devastating terrorist attack” and offered condolences to the victims.
This is the deadliest attack on tourists in Kashmir since June 2024, when militants attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing nine people.
